Joe Leach says Worcestershire will “have to apply and show the same spirit” as the last wicket pair of Adam Finch and Ben Gibbon to complete their fightback against Yorkshire in successful fashion on the final day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match at New Road.
Finch and Gibbon defied the Yorkshire attack for nearly 36 overs in adding 63 runs to lift Worcestershire’s final first innings total to 242.
The duo then went back out in the opening role for the final nine overs of the day as Worcestershire followed on 165 runs behind and added an unbroken 22 in nine overs.
Leach, who himself made 33 at number eight, said: “It really was a tremendous effort by Adam and Ben.
“We said in the dressing room that the 260 odd balls they’ve managed to absorb was effectively half of the day for us.
“It’s not something we are not used to seeing from those two, but a great effort to do it for such a long period of time.
“To get sent back out there for nine overs, they’ve really finished off that little chunk of the day for us.
“Obviously still a long way to go tomorrow. All 11 of us are going to have to take that kind of spirit I guess and apply it and see what we can so.
“Bowling is a physical thing and they’ve put a lot of effort into getting all of us out but they will be fresh again in the morning.
“There is a chance at the moment for them to push for victory so we are going to have to front up again at 11 o’clock and apply and show the same spirit as Adam and Ben towards the end.”
Regarding the decision to open the second innings with Finch and Gibbon, Leach said: “They had their eye in and not afraid to do something a little bit different.
“They had obviously faced a lot of balls and it helps shield our better batters for day four.
“They’ve done a fantastic job but the job is only half done for us as a side and, as well as they have played, it will be for nothing if we don’t back it up on the final day.”
